KETJAP MANIS: Where can I purchase a good one downtown?

[Googs]

Preferably east of Yonge, west of Parliament, and south of Bloor. Will travel to Kensington Market if it's really good.

[Tatai]

I recently bought a large bottle of the Bango brand, from Indonesia, at T & T in Thornhill. (In a separate area off to the side where the Indonesian and Malaysian goods are kept.) I would imagine they carry it at the downtown T & T, as well.

[PoppiYYZ]

Bump.

Got me a VERY good looking recipe for Pork Hokkien Mee (Penang Style) calling for some Ketjap Manis. Any recent sightings of a good Malaysian brand in TO ?

[Googs]

I can't speak to what's a "good" ketjap manis, only what I could find. I've had good luck at The Lively Life in the basement of the St Lawrence Market,

[Wiley]

I just checked my bottle I bought at Pusateri's and noticed it's "Conimex" brand, product of the Netherlands! (Owned by Unilever) Did I get taken?

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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA

[Googs]

If you paid Pusateri's prices for it you did.

[aser]

well anytime you buy ethnic stuff at Pusateri's, you're paying a serious premium.

but Indonesia is formerly a Dutch colony, so that is the reason.....

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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA

[Governor]

I just picked some up from Hen Longs on 108th in Surrey ........... $3.69

[Sam Salmon]

Yes both types are back in stock all over town-and of course the price has gone up.

[peppermint pate]

This was my last experience looking for kecap manis, about a month ago at the Asian grocery store on the east side of Spadina, just north of Dundas.

Me (to third clerk, first 2 passed me off once they heard me speaking English): Do you have any kecap manis?
Him: Ketchup?
Me: No (trying hard to pronounce clearly), ke-cap ma-nis.
Him (walks me over to aisle and points to Heinz ketchup).
Me (shaking my head, smiling): No, kecap manis.
New person approaches...
Me: I'm trying to find kecap manis.
Her: Ketchup?
Me: No, kecap manis.
Her: Ah, mayonnaise!
Me: No, kecap manis. It's an Indonesian sauce, sort of like a sweet thick soy sauce.
Her (walks me over to another aisle, points to ABC kecap manis): Kecap manis.
Me: Yes, yes, that's it. Thank you so much.
Her (wagging her finger at me somewhat sternly, though not unfriendly): Kecap manis. Not mayonnaise!
Me: Right. Got it. Thanks.

Anyway, always an amusing outing. It was the ubiquitous ABC brand, though I have to say it was a bit different than the way I remembered it from Indonesia - a little thicker, not quite the same taste. Maybe my memory (along with my pronunciation) is failing me. Anyway, good luck on your quest.

[Sam Salmon]

Sadly Red Label ABC Kecap Manis has disappeared from shelves here in Vancouver and an internet search led me to this thread.

ABC Yellow Label is around but it's not the same nor is Conimex.

The search continues......

[Wandering Foodie]

One tip: don't use Indonesian ketcap manis in a Malaysian recipe nor a Malaysian ketcap manis in an Indonesian recipe. They're not interchangable. Totally different flavour profile.

[Pharah]

Most good Asian grocery stores should have it. T&T has it in their location here in Mississauga, so I'm sure they'd have it in their other locations. I've seen a couple of different types of ABC brand, one I think has a blue label, but I always buy the one with the red label. It should cost around $1.50-$2.99 (I can't remember how much I pay...I think it's $1.89, not at T&T). It's great mixed with sambal oelek for a delicious hot and sweet taste.

[anything]

I've seen it at Pusateri's, near Bay and Bloor. I've also seen it in the basement at St Lawrence Market too

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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA

[mikeb]

T&T should have it. In the past, I've seen it downstairs at the St Lawrence (south) Market in the smaller of the spices/sauces stores, but it's cheaper in Chinatown. Look for ABC Brand Ketjap Manis. It is the Heinz Ketchup of Indonesia. It's everywhere there. Which is a funny thing, because Heinz bought the brand.

[Karsalis]

yes i agree with mikeb. as an indonesian, only by the ABC brand. ketjap manis is a must for any bbq! makes a great marinate and dipping sauce.

[billfrist]

I agree with the ABC brand recommendation. I found it in a supermarket in Chinatown (along Spadina, somewhere near Dundas). Most of those stores should carry it.

[currycue]

I haven't seen it within those boundaries, but you can try Grumbel's Deli just outside Main Subway station (South of Danforth)

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Grumbel's
290 Main St, Toronto, ON M4C, CA